Article by: RobRed

Applicable Models: 1998 – 2007 / 100 Series Land Cruiser or Lx 470

For months the steering wheel in my 2000 Toyota UZJ100 would creak and squeak when off center say at 10 or 2. Today I decided to look into the matter. I have seen various threads talking about the squeak and various “try this” scenarios. Here is what fixed mine.

First there as a big ass rubber cap at the firewall which looks like it has the potential to squeak – the cap covers the linkage of the steering shaft. Not my squeak in this case.

I listened very closely to the noise and it’s location and determined it was behind the steering wheel. I removed the upper and lower cover of the column at the dash and listened more. It’s coming from the clock spring area. That of course has been discussed, but it’s not coming from the area behind those covers. It’s coming from inside the wheel! Well the area covered behind the airbag.

Thankfully Toyota has access panels for steering wheel controls (Cruise on the right, blank on the left in my case) I opened both panels and gave a healthy squirt of HD silicone from each side – into the shaft and spring area. Problem Solved.

If it comes back… 2 minute fix. You’re welcome.

Access Panel on Steering Wheel

Steering Wheel Internal Detail